49 of the
1,641 complaints filed about the Pontiac Sunfire
are about the suspension —
3% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1997.
IN PART DUE TO CORROSION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, IT EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN STRUCTURAL FAILURE RESULTING IN A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED TWICE TO MY VEHICLE. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED WAS WHEN CORNERING AN HITTING A SMALL POTHOLE. I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED BY A GM DEALERSHIP AND THE SECOND TIME A FEW YEARS LATER THIS OCCURRED AGAIN AND IT WAS WHEN I HAD TO STOP ABRUPTLY TO AVOID A CAR RUNNING A RED LIGHT. THIS WAS THE SAME PART THAT FAILED EACH TIME AND RENDERED THE VEHICLE UN-DRIVEABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10944208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS IS MY MOTHER'S CAR, NOT MINE, SHE'S 54 YEARS OLD AND SHE DOES NOT DRIVE CRAZY. LAST WEEK HER FRONT SPRING SUSPENSION BROKE FOR NO REASON. I'M A MECHANIC, AND I'VE NEVER EVEN HEARD OF THAT KIND OF FAILURE, IT HAD TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. WHEN SHE WENT AT THE DEALER (WHICH WASN'T WHERE SHE BOUGHT THE CAR) THEY SAID THAT HER CAR WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY, SO IT WOULD COST A $120 PLUS LABOR TO REPAIR THE CAR. SO SHE BOUGHT A USED PART AND HAD IT REPLACED. PERSONALLY, I THINK THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE TOLD HER, THAT THEY NEVER SEEN THAT TYPE OF PROBLEM BEFORE AND THEY SHOULD INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER OF THIS DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10199030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DATE: 5/2/07 SUNFIRE 2005 WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 9/05 INVESTMENT PURPOSE IN A NEW CAR FOR SAFETY, RELIABILITY, GAS MILEAGE, NON-REPAIR AND PRICE OF VEHICLE. AT 26,000 MILES, $900 OF REPAIRS WERE PLACED ON THE CAR IN UPGRADES TO KEEP THE VEHICLE RUNNING, TO-DATE, COUNTING 10 FAILURES, FIRST DATE OF FAILURE REQUIRING CAR REPAIR 12/27/06. (NOT INCLUDING VEHICLE MAINTENANCE) REPAIRS DEMAND AT A MINIMUM 3HRS OF TIME AT EACH REPAIR VISIT. REPAIRS ON VEHICLE DEMAND JUST A FEW MORE HUNDRED DOLLARS IN CASH PAYMENTS AND COST OF A CAR RENTAL WHILE VEHICLE IS DOWN. INCIDENCES OF FAILURE ON VEHICLE REMAIN UNRESOLVED DUE TO PONTIAC'S DENIAL AND REFUSAL TO FIX THE VEHICLE. SUPPORTIVE DOCUMENTS WILL SHOW PRICE GOUGING, HARASSMENT AND A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED ON THE GMC/PONTIAC SUNFIRE 05 VEHICLE: TRUNK LATCH FAILURE, NO CRANK - BATTERY FAILURE, ALL FOUR TIRES FAILED WARPED, CRACKED, FRAYED APART, BRAKE PAD FAILURE. FOLLOWING ARE FAILURES OCCURRING ON THE VEHICLE LEFT UNRESOLVED: BRAKES SQUEAK, MANEUVERING IN TURNING VEHICLE MAKES NOISE, VEHICLE BOUNCES/ROCKS FORWARD WHEN PARKING AND STOPPING, VEHICLE BOUNCES/ROCKS BACKWARD AT STOP. THESE FAILURES ARE JUST A FEW AND COUNTING.
NHTSA complaint #10189474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WAS NOT NOTIFIED BY PONTIAC THAT MY SUNROOF SHOULD BE SERVICED YEARLY TO PREVENT LEAKS. I CONTACTED THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND WAS TOLD GM HAS NO RECOMMENDED SERVICE YET EVERYWHERE I HAVE ASKED HAS TOLD ME IT NEEDS SERVICED OR YOU WILL HAVE LEAKS. DEALER SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME. NOW I HAVE CLOGGED DRAIN LINES AND HAVE WATER LEAKING INTO MY TRUNK, AND THE WATER HAS DAMAGED MY BACK SPEAKERS. ALSO, I AM VERY UPSET WITH THE DESIGN OF THE SHIFTER LIGHT. I HAVE CALLED AROUND AND THE ONLY PLACE I CAN HAVE IT FIXED AT IS THE DEALER AND I AM LOOKING AT $130.00 JUST IN LABOR FOR A BAD LIGHT BULB. I THINK IT IS UNFAIR TO YOUR CUSTOMERS TO HAVE A PART, SUCH AS A LIGHT THAT WILL BURN OUT, UNREPLACEABLE BY ANYONE BUT THE DEALERS WHO THEN IN TURN CHARGE OUTRAGEOUS PRICES TO DO THE REPAIRS. SO NOW I HAVE WATER IN MY TRUNK NO BACK SPEAKERS AND CAN'T SEE WHAT GEAR I AM IN AT NIGHT ON A VEHICLE THAT IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD WITH 42000 MILES ON IT. I ALSO HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE LOOKS WRECKED AND I AM HAVING TO REPLACE FRONT STRUTS AND MOUNTS AS WELL AS RACK AND PINION. I NEVER WRECKED THIS VEHICLE AND NO ONE ELSE DRIVES MY CAR!
NHTSA complaint #10148038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE EXPERIENCING VARIOUS PROBLEMS.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE REAR SPRINGS INOPERATIVE. 6 MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICEL WAS PURCHASED THE TIRE TREAD WERE BADLY WORN. ONE OF THE WHEELS RIMS WERE ALSO BENT.
NHTSA complaint #10120379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1. OCCURED WITHOUT WARNING; . LOWER FRONT WHEEL CONTROL ARM RETAINER BOLT LOOSENED ALLOWING CONTROL ARM TO MOVE FREELY, ALLOWING WHEEL TO CONTACT INNER FENDER LINER WHICH LOCKED THE WHEEL CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THERE IS NO POSITIVE LOCKING APPARATUS ON BOLT (COTTER PIN OR SIMILAR) TO PREVENT LOOSENING. BOLT IS ORIENTED HEAD DOWN SO ONCE LOOSE, VIBRATION AND GRAVITY WILL INVARIABLY CAUSE BOLT TO FALL OUT. 3. BOLT WAS REPLACED AND TIGHTENED SECURELY.
NHTSA complaint #10116665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEEL BEARING SEEMS TO BE GOING BAD. THE MOTOR HAS BEEN JUMPING WHEN I TAKE OFF FROM A STOP LIGHT. I THINK THE MOTOR MOUNTS MIGHT BE BAD. THE CAR IS A 96 AND IT HAS 109,000 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10116526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE ON ACTIVE DUTY IN THE ARMY, I PURCHASED A USED 2000 PONTIAC SUNFIRE IN GEORGIA. THE CAR BEGAN GIVING ME PROBLEMS ONLY 6 MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE. LUCKILY, I FORCED THE DEALERSHIP TO PAY FOR A WARRANTY BECAUSE I HAD TO HAVE 3 MAJOR REPAIRS WITHIN A 11/2 AFTER THAT. UNFORTUNATELY, SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY WAS UP, I DISCOVER NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMOBILE, INCLUDING THE RECALL. THIS CAR IS TRULY A LEMON! I DO NOT BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE TO SUFFER WITH THIS DEFECTIVE CAR. I OWE OVER 3 TIMES THE VALUE OF THE CAR. EVEN THOUGH I HAVE ALL THE DOCUMENTATION TO SUPPORT MY GOOD CARE AND MAINTENANCE, NO ONE WILL TOUCH THIS CAR BECAUSE IT HAS SO MANY OTHER DEFECTS BESIDES THE RECALL (FRONT END SUSPENSION ISSUES, FUEL TANK). I AM A DISABLED VETERAN NOW WITH ONLY A SMALL PENSION TO SUPPORT MYSELF AND TWO CHILDREN. THIS CAR HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE SINCE I BOUGHT IT AND FIXING THE IGNITION SWITCH IS NOT GOING TO FIX THIS LEMON. I HAVE PUT OVER $3000 IN REPAIRS ON THIS CAR OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS ASIDE FROM THE MONTHLY FINANCED PAYMENTS OF $282 X 3YRS=$10,152 AND I STILL OWE $7800. THE CAR IS ONLY VALUED AT $2150. AND WHEN DEALERS LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF PROBLEMS BEHIND THIS CAR, THEY DON'T EVEN WANT TO GIVE ME $2000.
NHTSA complaint #10093379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE ON ACTIVE DUTY IN THE ARMY, I PURCHASED A USED 2000 PONTIAC SUNFIRE IN GEORGIA. THE CAR BEGAN GIVING ME PROBLEMS ONLY 6 MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE. LUCKILY, I FORCED THE DEALERSHIP TO PAY FOR A WARRANTY BECAUSE I HAD TO HAVE 3 MAJOR REPAIRS WITHIN A 11/2 AFTER THAT. UNFORTUNATELY, SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY WAS UP, I DISCOVER NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMOBILE, INCLUDING THE RECALL. THIS CAR IS TRULY A LEMON! I DO NOT BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE TO SUFFER WITH THIS DEFECTIVE CAR. I OWE OVER 3 TIMES THE VALUE OF THE CAR. EVEN THOUGH I HAVE ALL THE DOCUMENTATION TO SUPPORT MY GOOD CARE AND MAINTENANCE, NO ONE WILL TOUCH THIS CAR BECAUSE IT HAS SO MANY OTHER DEFECTS BESIDES THE RECALL (FRONT END SUSPENSION ISSUES, FUEL TANK). I AM A DISABLED VETERAN NOW WITH ONLY A SMALL PENSION TO SUPPORT MYSELF AND TWO CHILDREN. THIS CAR HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE SINCE I BOUGHT IT AND FIXING THE IGNITION SWITCH IS NOT GOING TO FIX THIS LEMON. I HAVE PUT OVER $3000 IN REPAIRS ON THIS CAR OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS ASIDE FROM THE MONTHLY FINANCED PAYMENTS OF $282 X 3YRS=$10,152 AND I STILL OWE $7800. THE CAR IS ONLY VALUED AT $2150. AND WHEN DEALERS LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF PROBLEMS BEHIND THIS CAR, THEY DON'T EVEN WANT TO GIVE ME $2000.
NHTSA complaint #10093379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THE CONSUMER COULD HEAR A LOUD POPPING NOISE WHICH CAME FROM THE FRONT END. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO JERKED AWAY FROM THE CONSUMER. THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE DETERMINE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10051991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT A STOP SIGN AND WITHOUT WARNING LEFT FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT SNAPPED IN TWO. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, LEFT WHEEL ALMOST CAME COMPLETELY OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10042887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MILEAGE FLASHES ON AND OFF LIKE THERE IS A SHORT AND AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON THE WHOLE TIME THE CAR IS RUNNING AND WHILE DRIVING.:( CLUNKING IN FRONT END POSSIBLY BY TIRES? LIKE THE SHOCKS OR WHATEVER
NHTSA complaint #10029321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENT FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE REAR AXLE AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS WERE SEVERELY DAMAGED, SO THAT THE ORIGINAL BROKEN COMPONENT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING IN A STRAIGHT LINE ON LEVEL GROUND AT ABOUT 60 MPH. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND DID NOT ENGAGE THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM, YET THE REAR END OF THE CAR SWERVED WILDLY, WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO HIT A HIGH CURB, SEVERELY DAMAGING THE RIGHT REAR TIRE, AXLE, AND SUSPENSION.
NHTSA complaint #10021293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
-THE HORN ON 1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE HAS QUIT WORKING AND BEEN REPAIRED THREE TIMES. THE PEOPLE AT THE SHOP SAID THAT IT WAS GETTING WET APPARENTLY EVERYTIME I WENT THROUGH WATER BECAUSE OF IT BEING POINTED DOWNWARD. -THE MUFFLER HAS BEEN FIXED THREE TIMES -THERE ARE MORE THAT I CAN NOT REMEBER RIGHT OFF HAND -THEIR IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE WHOLE CAR. THE LIGHT ON THE RADIO TIME AND STAION DISPLAY HAS NOT WORKED SINCE I BOUGHT IT, THE DRIVER'S REAR DOOR LIGHT HAS NOT COME ON, THE PASSENGER REAR WINDOW LETS DOWN BUT WILL NOT LET UP WHEN NEEDED SINCE RIGHT AFTER I GOT THE CAR, THE LIGHTS IN THE DASHBOARD GO ON AND OFF WITHOUT EVEN BEING TOUCHED, WHILE RIDING DOWN THE ROAD, THE WIDSHIELD WIPERS WILL JUST COME ON WITHOUT BEING TURNED ON AND THEN STOP HALFWAY DOWN IMPAIRING VISION, THE PASSENGER REAR TAIL LIGHT BLOWS ALL OF THE TIME, IT HAS NEVER STAYED WITH A BULB THAT WORKS, ETC. -THE VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKS AND HAS LEAKED SINCE I GOT IT -THE GAS LIGHT WILL NOT TELL YOU WHEN YOU ARE RUNNING LOW ON FUEL -THE RADIO WILL EAT YOUR TAPES SINCE I GOT THE CARTHE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACE ON THE CAR WITH LESS THAN 80,000 MILES ON IT -THE RACK AND PINION HAD TO BE REPLACED A FEW YEARS AGO ALONG WITH THE COMPLETE BRAKE SYSTEM THE POWER STEERING HAS LEAKED FLUID AND WILL STOP TURNING IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN. I HAVE ALMOST WRECKED ON IT SVERAL TIMES BECAUSE OF IT AND THE BRAKES. -THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR WORKS WHEN IT GETS READY TO IF EVEN THEN AND HAS ALWAYS DONE THAT.
NHTSA complaint #10020716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE IS LEAKING WATER FROM HEAD GASKET. COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON DASH. TOOK TO DEALER. ALSO THERE WAS A RECALL CAMPAIGN 00V367000. *AK DEALER FOUND SMALL HOLE IN CYLINDER HEAD. ENGINE WILL NOT START AND IS OVERHEATING. VEHICLE SHUTS OFF AT STOP. VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. ALTERNATOR, IGNITION SWITCH, HEAD GASKET, COOLANT, FAN BELT, PLUGS AND WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED. FOUND FRONT HUB BEARING MAKING ROARING NOISE. A/C STOP WORKING. DEALER FOUND COMPRESSOR FAILED. THERE IS A STRONG GAS ODOR WHEN CRANKING VEHICLE. FUEL INJECTOR WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #8009184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH STEERING WHEEL AUTOMATICALLY PULLED TO THE RIGHT SIDE,AND CONSUMER COULD NOT CONTROL VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.
NHTSA complaint #8007577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS REPLACED DUE TO IT GETTING HOT MELTING THE CARPET AND PAINT INSIDE TRUNK, FUMES FILLED INTERIOR OF VEHICLE AT THIS TIME EXHAUST SYSTEM IS RUNNING JUST AS HOT AGAIN, DEALER STATED FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE INSTRUCTED HIM NOT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE.*AK CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE HAS BAD GAS MILEAGE, STARTER MOTOR SEIZED AND FAILED, POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING, COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM LEFT FRONT AND BACK OF THE VEHICLE, REPLACED RADIATOR, HEATER BLOWS COLD AIR AT IDLE, TRUNK LEAKS, HEAD LAMP IS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, GLOVE BOX WILL NOT CLOSE, MUFFLER FELL OFF, KEY COMES OUT OF IGNITION WITH VEHICLE RUNNING, TRANSMISSION HAS NO REVERSE, THERE WAS BRAKE PULSATION AT HIGH SPEED OR WHEN STOPPING, BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR, SPEAKERS INOPERATIVE, SEAT SPRING FAILED, SUSPECTED MOTOR OIL SMELL AND REPLACED THERMOSTAT, HORN WAS INOPERATIVE, POWER AND GROUNDS DISTRIBUTION REPLACED, WINDOW WILL NOT GO DOWN ALL THE WAY, FOUND WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED, HAZARD LAMPS AND TURN SIGNAL WERE INOPERATIVE, REPLACED BLOWN FUSE, CIGARETTE LIGHTER INOPERATIVE, REPLACED BLOWN FUSE, TRACTION CONTROL INOPERATIVE, ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, A/C HOSE LEAKING, REPLACED EVAPORATOR, HARD TO START AND ROUGH IDLE, ENGINE MAKE RATTLING NOISE AND QUIT RUNNING, REPLACED HEAD CYLINDER AND 02 SENSOR, VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT, OVERFLOW BOTTLE MELTED AND 42 GOODYEAR TIRES BLEW OUT, ALSO THE HVAC WAS INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #8003978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.